NASCAR's Denny Hamlin gives back to hometown

AP File PhotoDenny Hamlin has created jobs by opening a racing-themed car wash in Midlothian, Va., and his Denny Hamlin Foundation assists people with cystic fibrosis-related issues.

These days, Denny Hamlin is all business -- on and off the track.

The driver of the No. 11 FedEx Express Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota not only is working on qualifying for his fourth consecutive Sprint Cup Series Chase for the Championship, he also is working on making things better on the business side back home.

"So far, it's going good," said Hamlin, who will begin the LifeLock 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday in 12th place in the series points race. "This business is still in the new stages, so you expect it to be good in the beginning.

"I'm just trying to establish myself within the community in which I grew up. It was a good opportunity for me."

His record shows he has made the most of such opportunities to help others off the track throughout his young racing career.

DENNY HAMLIN FILE

Who: Driver of the No. 11 FedEx Express Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota

Age: 28

Hometown: Chesterfield, Va.

Points: 12th in Sprint Cup Series

Best Cup finish at MIS: Fifth (August 2007)

Lucky number: Hamlin not only drives the No. 11 car, his birthday is Nov. 11.

Want free tickets?: Hamlin is giving away tickets to each NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race in a contest on his Web site. "Each and every race, we've given away a minimum of four tickets," Hamlin said. "We just ask that they go to the Web site and write a story about why they'd like to sit in my seats." To enter the contest, go to dennyhamlin.com/seats

"That was the biggest thing," Hamlin said. "With the car wash, we've created some jobs. We use recycled water. There's a lot of different things we're doing to help that community out. A lot of people are going to benefit from that car wash.

"We're trying to take little steps to help the community and help the environment."

Helping himself on the track is the order of business this week at MIS in Brooklyn. After finishing 36th and 38th the past two weeks, Hamlin is only one point ahead of Mark Martin in the hunt for the last spot in the Chase field.

"We were fifth in the points just two weeks ago," Hamlin said. "That's what happens when you have a couple bad weeks and don't get any points. We've just got to get back to making solid runs and finishing like we deserve to."

Making the Chase is something Hamlin is used to. He is one of nine drivers to finish in the top 12 the past three seasons, joining Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon and Clint Bowyer.

MIS will play a key role in determining the Chase field as the track hosts two of the 12 races remaining before the field is set.

"We've made (the Chase) every year we've tried," Hamlin said. "Some years, we've kind of coasted our way into it. And some years, we had to battle our way in like we did last year.

"Michigan will be a good test for us. We've got a new car coming this week, and it's supposed to be a lot better than what we've had in the past. I'm looking forward to it."

Hamlin also is looking forward to erasing the memories of two bad weeks at the office.

"For the most part, when you get to the race track the next week, you're able to move on and focus on that weekend," Hamlin said. "At that point, you're focusing on gaining points instead of harping on points that you lost."